Karl
Karl: name meaning, origin and popularity
Meaning and origin of Karl
- A male given name from the Germanic languages, equivalent to English Charles.
Etymology
From German and North Germanic (Scandinavian) Karl, from Germanic. Doublet of Charles.
How popular is Karl?
Since 1880, 915 girls and 100,836 boys in the U.S. have been named Karl (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2076 in 1969. Its highest rank for boys was #135 in 1960. In 2025, 107 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Karl
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Germanic boy names
Sibling name ideas for Karl
Sister and brother names that share Karl's Germanic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Karl FAQ
What does the name Karl mean?
A male given name from the Germanic languages, equivalent to English Charles. From German and North Germanic (Scandinavian) Karl, from Germanic. Doublet of Charles.
What is the origin of the name Karl?
Karl is listed as a name of Germanic origin.
How popular is the name Karl?
Since 1880, 915 girls and 100,836 boys in the U.S. have been named Karl (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2076 in 1969. Its highest rank for boys was #135 in 1960. In 2025, 107 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Karl a boy or girl name?
Karl is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 915 girls and 100,836 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.